Marin's metal man James Hetfield of the band Metallica has met with county officials to discuss resolving the issue of his disputed fence that blocks open space access to hikers and others in the Lucas Valley.

Over the summer Hetfield erected a metal fence on his property on a Terra Linda hilltop, closing off a popular trail and angering hikers, bikers and equestrians. The fence, at the end of a fire road in the Terra Linda-Sleepy Hollow Divide open space preserve, blocks access from the Luiz Ranch Fire Road that dates back more than 50 years.

Vandalism of a previous smaller gate, and of signs and other property along the trail, prompted Hetfield to block access with the 300-foot-long, 8- to 10-foot-high corrugated metal silver fence.

Representatives of the Marin County Open Space District and the Hetfield family met this month "to discuss mutual interests related to respecting the private property rights of the Hetfields and the county's hope to obtain appropriate public trail access rights to achieve important regional trail connections," according to a press release issued Monday by the county.

"The parties agreed to continue to discuss the possibility of reasonable trail alignment options. Both parties, as they work together to explore options, urge trail users to exercise patience and respect private property rights," the release stated.

Marin Supervisor Steve Kinsey is hopeful something can be worked out.

"There is some work to be done," Kinsey said. "They have felt violated by trespassers and by people demanding access and that has aggravated the situation."

Kinsey said the solutions may involve trail re-routing, or better patrols of the area.

Hetfield purchased a nearby 500-acre parcel at 3001 Lucas Valley Road in 1999 and, in 2002, submitted plans to build a 14,000-square-foot house, swimming pool and another 6,000-square-foot building that would house a music studio, garage and caretaker's residence.

Since then, he exercised an option to buy the adjoining Luiz Ranch, which includes the disputed 0.8-mile section of trail that had been used by the public. The Luiz family allowed the public to use the trail and pass through the property with little hassle.

Hetfield is lead singer and guitarist for Metallica which, since debuting with its album "Kill 'Em All" in 1983, has risen from the club scene to become one of the most successful and influential heavy-metal acts in the world.

County officials hope they can work with Hetfield and establish some type of access for the public.

"We made a commitment to keep talking," said Sharon McNamee, Parks and Open Space general manager. "But it will take some time."